368 CAPE INMAN—LATITUDE BAY. Dec. 1829. 
this spot; I called it Latitude Bay. It is remarkably easy of 
access, and is also easy to leave: rather rare qualities ina 
Fuegian Harbour. Cape Inman being prominently situated, is 
a good guide to the anchorage. 
“‘ Sunday 20th. A fine day ; and, knowing its value, we 
turned it to account. From a height I saw Cape Gloucester 
and the point of land on this (the northern) side of it; and to 
the northward I could distinguish the land about the entrance 
to the Strait. The Landfall Islands appeared to be the top of a 
ridge of mountains lying (partly below the sea) in the same 
direction as most of the neighbouring ranges. Many dangerous 
rocks lie off the S.W. side; and there is no passage for a ship 
between the islands, for the opening is narrow, and has only 
two fathoms in some places. 
“¢ 21st. This morning I sent the master and Mr. Wilson* in 
a whale-boat to the east end of the island, to make a plan of 
that part, and get some angles and bearings necessary for con- 
tinuing the survey. 
«© 22d. A bad day, blowing hard and raining. The wind 
being from north and N.N.W. threw in a swell; and as we were 
not yet sure of the quality of the bottom, though apparently 
good, we struck topmasts and veered away a long scope of 
cable. 
«¢ 24th. The wind shifted to the S.W. and became rather more 
moderate, though still squally, with much rain. It freshened 
again in the night, and backed to the northward. 
«‘ Christmas-day. Blowing strong from N.N.W. with a 
thickly clouded sky and heavy rain. I was very anxious to see 
the master return, but he could not in such weather. I feared 
that his provisions would be exhausted, having taken only 
enough for four days; yet they had a good tent, guns, and 
ammunition. 
“26th. A strong wind with thick weather and much rain 
throughout the whole day. There was no possibility of sending 
a boat to the master, or of his returning by water. The island 
being very narrow he, or some of his party, could walk across, 
* Mate, lent to the Beagle, from the Adventure. 
